HHRFC Dev U14s vs Guernsey

The first time these teams met was last year’s inaugural overseas fixture for this age group, where an exceedingly early start and a spirited effort on the pitch was rewarded by honourable defeat – now a return match this Sunday for the latest Dev league fixture. The preceding day’s First XV fixture on this pitch had by all accounts been a slightly desperate affair in horrid conditions after a week of rain – but thankfully the sun had finally returned to Whiteman’s Green to at least offset the somewhat sticky conditions underfoot, and allow for a return of favours as Heath Dev eventually ran out comfortable winners against a determined Guernsey side.

The first exchanges in the loose were predictably a little messy, with Guernsey showing some ominous power at the breakdown. Heath’s response was to smartly move the ball wide through the hands from the base of the scrum for Johnson-Bird to show good strength to finish in the corner. However, Guernsey were swiftly back on terms following a kick to the corner and a well-executed rolling maul, requiring some scrambled defence from Heath, the pressure finally telling with a clearing kick from the try line being charged down, resulting in a converted score.

As the game progressed it became clear that Heath’s forwards were determined to have a say in proceedings. Strong carries, securing the ball at the breakdowns and movement through the phases by the pack brought a well-deserved try for Clare in the opposing corner. This increasing confidence and aggression soon paid further dividends with a scrum turnover in midfield, quick ball from which resulted in a superb lacerating break by Hartley to score under the posts, Barnett adding the extras for a half time score of 17-7.

However, any thoughts of the job being done were quickly dispelled shortly after the restart, with Guernsey turning the ball over and executing some hefty forward-dominated phases themselves for a well-worked try in the corner.

This just seemed to galvanise Heath, who dominated the next period of the match, played mainly in the Guernsey half. Heath’s distribution from the scrum and handling generally was admirable given the conditions, although these did contribute to the occasional knock on, killing their momentum. Eventually through a series of hard-fought rucks down the left, Johnson-Bird saw the opportunity to pick and go from the base, nipping around the corner of the Guernsey defence for another try under the posts, giving Barnett a simple conversion for 24-12.

Heath continued the pressure in this vein but were unable to convert territory into points, and subsequently Guernsey managed to break out and work their way into Heath’s half for a sustained period of attack, held up by some superb tackling, notably by Griggs. Despite turning the ball, Heath were unable to break out, with Guernsey kicking a penalty to the corner for another lineout and rolling maul, only to be denied in the corner by a try-saving tackle from Bending. Still the pressure came, with Heath defending their line manfully, but unable to breakout when the turnover presented the opportunity. Finally, Guernsey coughed up a loose ball from their under-pressure scrum, the ball being quickly moved to Johnson-Bird who ran almost the entire length of the pitch with two Guernsey players in pursuit for a lung-busting, hat trick-completing score. Griggs added the extras to conclude the scoring at 31-12, leaving the scoreboard maybe slightly flattering Heath after a very competitive encounter with a gallant Guernsey side, the match being played throughout in excellent spirit by both teams.

And so a very satisfying morning’s rugby was concluded, not just for the second straight competitive victory of the season for the Devs, but also notable for the return of Bradford from injury, and competitive debuts for Zack Davies and Charlie James – welcome, guys!

Johnson-Bird Try 5-0

Guernsey try, converted 5-7

Clare try 10-7

Hartley try converted 17-7

HT 17-7

Guernsey try 17-12

Johnson-Bird try, converted 24-12

Johnson-Bird try, converted 31-12

Debuts – Charlie, Zack

Returning from injury - Stan Bradford